Articles

Books are an excellent source of inspiration for filmmakers. If they take a literary classic and adapt it to the screen, they practically guarantee the project’s success. After all, the story already works on the page, so all the screenwriters have to do is translate it. Doing so will put the movie, TV show, or

Zombies aren’t just figments of horror movies and video games—they’re inspired by very real and very horrifying diseases. The world is teeming with ways to turn you (or something else) into the walking undead. Whether it’s a syndrome that convinces you you’re already dead or a virus that rewires you to bite your neighbors, this

Certain events have very clearly defined American history. The Battle of Gettysburg, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of public figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy—certainly, the list goes on from there. But just as much, there have been quite a few incredibly important events that have defined American history,

Typically, when we think of someone who has chosen to enter the culinary world as either a cook or a chef, we often think of people who have had a deep love of food from early on in life, those who have a refined pallet and find joy in creating meals that are just as

Alcohol and traffic are two opposite terms—two parallel lines that should never meet. A driver is not expected to have even a little alcohol while planning to drive; it is unsafe, dangerous, and downright immoral. An intoxicated driver poses a threat to the lives of others aside from himself. While drunk drivers have taken innocent

When a work enters the public domain, it’s like releasing an immortal animal into the wild after it has been caged for a hundred years. Now freed from copyright restrictions, the work can be studied, reinterpreted, and explored in ways that better reveal its true nature. Scholars, creators, and fans are granted new freedoms to

At the end of World War II in Europe in May 1945, there were plenty of Nazis who had cause to fear retribution from the Allies because of their appalling war crimes. But all too many of them avoided justice by fleeing to Latin America, in many cases helped to abscond by the rogue Catholic

Bodies found in abandoned houses raise questions of identity, manner, and cause of death, as well as the reasons that they came to be in the houses in the first place. Unfortunately, the answers to some of these questions are never likely to be known. Those that are determined frequently point to misfortune, drugs, and

New Year’s Eve is celebrated across the world with a mix of joy, hope, and anticipation, but it’s also steeped in superstitions that reflect the diverse cultural beliefs about starting the year off right. From wearing specific colors to performing quirky rituals, these traditions often revolve around themes of luck, prosperity, and protection. While some

Football (soccer in America) is undeniably the world’s most popular sport, celebrated across continents from South America to the Middle East. While the beautiful game originated in England, its universal appeal lies in the thrill of teamwork and the excitement of scoring goals. Key to this drama are goalkeepers, the last line of defense, whose

Few U.S. politicians have led a life as unlikely as Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1924–December 29, 2024). A poor peanut farmer who became the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter was a contradiction in almost every way. He ran for governor of Georgia with segregationist support and then increased the number of African-American

Robin Hood is practically synonymous with heroism. In the face of oppression in medieval England, this folk figure stands up to the malicious Sheriff of Nottingham and the malevolent Prince John. His example helps rally the commoners into a formidable fighting force. Together with his band of outlaws, Robin takes from the rich and gives

Since prehistoric times, humans have always made comparisons. Ancient humans noticed that some people were taller than others. They also noticed that each person had strengths others didn’t possess and weaknesses or areas for improvement. These two features—strength and weakness—have defined human ambitions for millennia. In 1903, the Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight

Translation seems like an easy task these days, with the help of technology such as Google at our fingertips, but it isn’t always so simple. Simple translation when trying to greet someone from another country is one thing, but interpreting major documents or treaties is another. Translators and interpreters are professionals with years of experience,

In 2023, Saudi Arabia unveiled plans for the Mukaab (“cube” in Arabic) in Riyadh, which will be the largest inner city building in the world, capable of enclosing 20 Empire State Buildings within its walls. It will showcase the latest digital and holographic technology, providing a breathtaking visual experience of the interior. The region has

A burial mound above a hidden chamber. A huge basement that the U.S. feared might be sabotaged by World War II’s Axis Powers. A warehouse storing artifacts of a maritime disaster. Secret schools where teachers and students alike fear for their safety. A hospital in the jungle of a war-torn nation. A house built on

It is safe to say that in the 18th century, sailing was not for the faint of heart. As well as the dangers the sea itself posed, seamen had to be prepared to face storms, rats, lice, diseases, and more. If they were in the navy, they had the prospect of enemies to deal with,

Love stories don’t get more acclaimed than Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare’s play presents romance blossoming amid adversity. Romeo of the Montagues and Juliet of the Capulets meet in a chance encounter, and it’s love at first sight. The two teens want nothing more than to be together. The challenge comes with their respective families,

Pretty much every country and culture around the world has a set of creepy mythical beasts as part of their ancient folklore. All over the globe, our ancestors have passed down oral traditions and tall tales about strange things that go “bump” in the night. Just as much as anywhere else on earth, Germany has

Holidays often have traditions, such as eating turkey for Thanksgiving, decorating with shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day, and carving jack-o’lanterns for Halloween. Christmas is another holiday with many traditions. Some, like enjoying candy canes, oohing and aahing at decorated Christmas trees, and telling a mall or other store-based Santa what is on one’s gift list,